Crinum asiaticum L.

A robust herb 0.5–1 m high; pseudostem of leaf bases 20–45 cm long. Leaves in a rosette, strap-shaped, 50–95 cm long, 10–14 cm wide, fleshy. Peduncle arising just below rosette of leaves, c. 40 cm long, hollow; umbel c. 25 cm diam., with 25–50 flowers; bracts 8–12 cm long, papery. Flowers large, white, scented; pedicel and ovary 3.5–5 cm long; perianth tube slender, 4–7 cm long; perianth lobes linear-ligulate, 7–8 cm long, widely spreading or reflexed, white. Stamens exserted; filaments 4–4.5 cm long, purple distally; anthers linear, 2–2.5 cm long, yellow. Style exserted, 4.5–5 cm long, filiform, purple. Capsule spherical, 4.5–6.5 cm diam., with 1–5 corky seeds.

H.N. Ridley, Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 45: 236 (1906), recorded it as common on Christmas Island in Flying Fish Cove and on rocks and cliffs throughout. It has been removed from most readily accessible situations for cultivation in gardens but is still quite frequent on exposed cliffs, both at the coast and on the tiers of inland cliffs. It grows in partially shady to very exposed situations, on ledges and in crevices in the limestone. On Cocos (Keeling) Islands grows in coralline sand at the top of beaches, or in gullies or depressions.

This species is poisonous, containing an alkaloid, and will induce vomiting if eaten. It is sometimes used medicinally as an emetic. The sap is mucilaginous; the leaves are used for dressing wounds and sores, and to make poultices.

Plants can be grown from seeds, the bulb or small bulblets.